Suhru Sommelier: Merlot

Move Over Pinot Noir, Merlot is Back!

The “Sideways Effect” is real—in the years following the movie and the infamous line: “If anyone orders Merlot, I’m leaving. I am NOT drinking any ****ing Merlot!” Merlot sales dropped and Pinot Noir grew over 16%. While it’s true that Pinot Noir is a muse like no other, Merlot has an important role to play—it’s The Middle.

Merlot is the most widely planted red wine grape on the North Fork of Long Island. There is no doubt it is perfectly suited to our terroir, developing beautifully in both excellent growing seasons and those that leave something to be desired. In this 90 minute class we will taste 7 wines along while you enjoy a cheese & charcuterie plate and explore the nuances of both Merlot and Pinot Noir. Discover why Merlot is so widely planted on Long Island, and why it is so well suited to red blends as well as, as a single varietal wine.